Embarking on the journey of training a horse through the various levels requires a structured approach, and the Dressage Pyramid of Training stands as an exceptional model for dressage horses and riders, with principles applicable across other equestrian disciplines. Developed by the German cavalry and adopted in the 1950s, this pyramid is built upon six fundamental concepts: rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. While the progression through these elements can vary based on the individual horse, the pyramid serves as a vital reference for understanding the general developmental pathway and interactive progress from the initial stages of training through ongoing assessment.
Dressage judges meticulously utilize the Pyramid of Training when evaluating the foundational elements demonstrated in dressage tests. Seasoned riders leverage it to enhance the productivity of their training sessions, while successful trainers employ it to cultivate their horses in a harmonious and systematic manner. This framework is also an invaluable tool for problem-solving. By integrating the Pyramid of Training into your training philosophy, you can significantly save time and mitigate frustration when bringing a young horse up through the levels. A common challenge many riders face is being unable to advance a confirmed horse, often leading to them remaining at a single level for years.
The training process, encompassing these six elements, is strategically divided into three overlapping training phases. As explained by USDF gold medalist Bruno Greber, these phases guide the horse and rider through progressive stages of development.
Phase 1: Accustoming the Horse
The first phase integrates rhythm, relaxation, and contact. During this stage, the primary goal is to acclimate the horse to the rider and their aids. This phase is crucial for the warm-up during daily training sessions, preparing the horse physically and mentally for more demanding work. Establishing a consistent rhythm, ensuring the horse is relaxed, and fostering a consistent, light connection with the bit are paramount here. This foundational work sets the stage for subsequent development.
Phase 2: Developing Driving Power
The second phase builds upon the first, incorporating relaxation, contact, impulsion, and straightness. This stage focuses on developing the “driving power” or thrust from the horse’s hind legs. The horse is encouraged to work more actively from behind, stepping forward with energy and purpose into the bit. This phase is dedicated to versatile gymnastic exercises designed to cultivate a flexible and athletic horse. Enhancing impulsion means encouraging more powerful and engaged hindquarters, while straightness ensures the horse moves true to its body line, allowing for better balance and the development of suppleness.
Phase 3: Building Carrying Power
The final phase emphasizes impulsion, straightness, and collection. This stage aims to develop the “carrying power” of the hind legs, a critical component for advanced dressage. The horse learns to bear more weight over its hindquarters, which is essential for achieving true collection and a relative elevation. Collection involves the engagement of the hindquarters to shorten the horse’s frame while maintaining uphill balance and responsiveness. Relative elevation, often considered an outcome of collection, refers to the lift in the forehand, including the head carriage and withers, which is directly related to the degree of collection achieved. While older texts may have listed elevation as a seventh element, modern interpretations consider it a direct consequence of correct collection, thus not a separate element in today’s version of the pyramid.
Successfully guiding a young horse through the levels is akin to earning an advanced degree in riding. It demands diligence, patience, and a deep understanding of equine behavior and training principles. While this intensive journey may not be suited for everyone, it invariably fosters growth, transforming riders into more skilled trainers and, often, better human beings. It is a long-term commitment, typically spanning 10-20 years or more, filled with both triumphs and challenges. The most rewarding accomplishments in an equestrian career are often those achieved with young horses that began their training journey under one’s guidance, culminating in winning those first coveted blue ribbons.
